O'Malley Job Approval at 54%

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has a 54% job approval rating, with 41% of voters disapproving of his job performance, according to a new Gonzales poll released Wednesday. The approval rating is up 1% from this time last year.

Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley has a 54% job approval rating, with 41% of voters disapproving of his job performance, according to a new Gonzales poll released Wednesday. The approval rating is up 1% from this time last year.

In addition, the poll found that opposition to the death penalty is increasing. Forty-four percent of Marylanders do not approve of the death penalty, according to the poll with 49% in favor. That number is different from two years ago at this time when 56% were in favor of the death penalty and 36% opposed. O'Malley said last week he will be making a repeal of the death penalty a priority, adding that it is a waste of resources that could be better used to fight crime in more productive ways.

On gun control, 58% of voters say they would favor a law banning the sale of assault weapons, while 40% oppose such a ban. In addition to the ban, O'Malley told WBAL last week he wants a licensing in addition to require residents to be fingerprinted by the Maryland State Police before purchasing a handgun. Fingerprints now are only required for gun owners who get wear and carry permits. The proposal also would require handgun purchasers to take a hands-on safety training course, rather than simply watching an online video.

Twenty-six percent of Maryland approve of a 10-cent-per-gallon gas increase to help pay for maintenance on roads and bridges. O'Malley has hinted that he would propose a sales tax on gasoline similar to the one that he introduced last year.

"Stay tuned," O'Malley told reporters earlier this month.

"I made a proposal last session, and we'll probably be making a similar proposal last session, as we need to find another way to make a $700 to $800-million investment in transportation."

The plan has been criticized by Republicans.

"Since the left is in charge in Annapolis, I'm not surprised that you're hearing a lot about raising a gas tax or a sales tax, because that's what the left always advocates for. We're going to look for more of a reasonable approach, where we're not going to hurt struggling folks with limited financial resources," House Minority Leader Tony O'Donnell told WBAL News.

O'Donnell and other Republicans have said they want the state to stop using money from the gas tax to pay for mass transit projects which don't benefit the rural districts many of them represent.